Alex Wagner joins The Circus, replacing Halperin

[OnDoutside]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/business/media/showtime-the-circus-halperin.html

The Showtime political documentary series “The Circus” is set to return in April, minus its most recognizable star: Mark Halperin, the high-flying journalist whose career was felled last year by allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Replacing Mr. Halperin will be Alex Wagner, a CBS News anchor and former MSNBC host. She will join two of the original hosts, the writer John Heilemann, Mr. Halperin’s longtime professional partner, and Mark McKinnon, a Stetson-sporting political consultant.

SNIP

Ms. Wagner, who has appeared as a guest on the show, said she planned to use her new role to examine “questions of American identity: us vs. them, tribalism and nativism, themes that emerged in the campaign and show no sign of going away.” She is the author of a soon-to-be-published book, “Futureface,” which looks at race and immigration in the United States through the lens of her own mixed-race ancestry.

Ms. Wagner laughed when asked if she and her co-hosts were simpatico on political matters. Mr. McKinnon is a former adviser to the presidential bids of George W. Bush and John McCain; Ms. Wagner, whose views lean liberal, is married to the Obamas’ former White House family chef.

“I think it’s a prerequisite that we don’t all agree on everything,” Ms. Wagner said. A former editor in chief of The Fader, a music magazine, she said she was also looking forward to expanding the show’s musical selections.

“If we can get André 3000 on the show,” she said, “I am doubly in.”

[Cicada]

1. Excellent choice, she is smart and highly entertaining